JoAnne Bassett is a Fragrance Therapist, Botanical Couture Perfumer,
teacher, speaker, and author.
For 20 years she has been a spiritual alchemist and botanical expert
tapping into flowers and plants to utilize the creative power to impact lives.
JoAnne’s French royal heritage and the perfumers in her ancestry passed the
gift of perfumery to her. Her multi-dimensional fragrance collections are designed to align, shift, and enhance mood, spirit, and well being.
As well as an extensive line of botanical perfumes, JoAnne Bassett offers Couture Bespoke Perfumes as a one of a kind scent that will empower the client's unique essence.
Monica “Skye” Miller: Please would you tell me a little about the process of having a custom Perfume made. Do I have to know anything about perfume?
JoAnne Bassett: No not at all. The only thing you need is the desire for a Bespoke
Custom Perfume created just for you that magnifies your unique essence.
People often ask if I can use their favorite flowers or scents in a perfume. I use natural botanicals and I make tinctures and macerations of flowers from my garden such as gardenia. Some of the more unusual flowers that are not made into an essential oil or absolute I am able to create in a perfume using enfleurage. These are very old French classic perfume methods to create scent from flowers and plants.
Monica: How long does it take?
JoAnne: From the time we have a consultation until the custom sample is ready is
3 to 4 weeks. The consultation may be in person answering questions
and smelling accords. A custom sample is then created and we
wait for 3 weeks for it to mature. A custom sample is then sent to the
client and they wear it and respond. The perfume can be perfect the way
it is or we can do another iteration.
We can also do this short process over the phone and through the mail
using beautiful accord samples.
Monica: What are the most popular notes?
JoAnne: I have been creating Custom Couture Perfumes for 17 years for women and
men and the popular notes are often rose otto, jasmine, neroli, tuberose,
gardenia, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Monica: What is the cost?
JoAnne: $1,000.00 for an 8 ml – 1/4 oz botanical parfum in a special parfum
bottle.
Monica: I see that you are a "Fragrance Therapist", what does that mean?
JoAnne: I coined the term Fragrance Therapist because there is a definite
benefit from using 100% botanicals in perfumes.
We never make medical claims but I am a Certified Aromatherapist creating natural organic perfumes that have many benefits.
Monica: Do aromas really have an effect on the emotions and well being?
JoAnne: They most definitely do. That is part of the Fragrance Therapist title.
I have discovered using the aromas in aromatherapy potions and using
natural essential oils and absolutes in natural fragrances have the same
positive effects.
Monica: What are some good scents for stressful times?
JoAnne: Fragrance can impact your attitude so wear a scent you love. If wearing
rose opens your heart and you feel better, then wear that.
Do you want to experience more joy? Choose fragrances containing citrus
oils such as sweet orange, tangerine, mandarin, bergamot, lemon, or grapefruit.
For stress and anxiety use lavender oil or fragrances containing true
lavender essential oil. Inhale it or apply it to your skin. Citrus oils like lemon also help with depression.
Monica: I’m really loving your fragrance “Camille”. I love the fresh bright citrusy floral and the lovely iris drydown..mmm! Will the notes in Camille do something for me aromatherapeutically?
(Notes: Osmanthus, Iris Root from Italy, Mimosa, Tuberose, and others)
JoAnne: There are 14 essences in Camille; uplifting citruses, grounding roots,
centering woods, heart opening and aphrodisiac florals, and balancing lavender.
Monica: JoAnne, your scents are so sophisticated I thought of Renoir to illustrate this perfume interview. Do you like Renoir?
JoAnne Bassett: I adore Renoir. My family came to this country from Paris, France so with French blood..I love perfume and Renoir…
Monica: Any parting thoughts?
JoAnne: I am a healer and love to impart healing, love,
light, and more into my fragrances. This is my dharma. I know you understand.
JoAnne Bassett, Fragrance Therapist – Natural Couture Perfumer can be found at any of the links below:
http://www.JoAnneBassett.com
http://AromaticJourneys.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/joannebassett.perfumer
Please comment on this post to be entered in a special draw to win a purse size spray of Camille Eau de Parfum….The question is: If you were to have a custom perfume made just for you what notes would you dream of? The draw will be on Monday August 16 at 11:59PM EST.
–Monica “Skye” Miller, Natural Perfume Editor & Senior Editor